The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented challenge for
federal and provincial governments and other public health
organizations in Canada. To respond in a timely and effective
manner, government organizations require greater access to, and an
enhanced ability to use, personal information and personal health
information. Both federal and provincial privacy legislation
contain specific provisions that broaden the scope of collection,
use, and disclosure of personal information and personal health
information during a public health crisis, to ensure privacy laws
do not impede the effective provision of healthcare.
Although privacy legislation does not act as a barrier to the
collection, use, and disclosure of personal information during the
pandemic, it is imperative that organizations continue to adhere to
their privacy law obligations while responding to the COVID-19
crisis. The pandemic cannot be treated as a carte blanche
to collect information at will,
